Image control device, image control system, and digital camera

ABSTRACT

The invention is provided with: an acquisition unit that acquires, from an external machine, image data as well as time data when an image based on the image data has been displayed on the external machine; a data memory unit that stores, for each unit of the image data, the image data and the time data acquired in the acquisition unit; and a prioritization determination unit that determines, on the basis of the time data, a prioritization of the image data stored in the data memory unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/515,615, filed Jun. 13, 2012, which is aNational Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2011/052530, filedFeb. 7, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2010-030065, filed Feb. 15, 2010; the entire contents ofall of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image control device, an imagecontrol system, and a digital camera.

BACKGROUND ART

An image display device having an imaging unit is known (for example,see Patent Literature 1). According to this image display device,captured images can be prioritized and displayed.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2008-165009

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the aforementioned image display device is problematic in thatwhen the prioritization of the displayed images is determined, noconsideration at all is given to the times when the images have beenplayed back in another device.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image controldevice, an image control system, and a digital camera, capable ofdetermining the prioritization of image data on the basis of the timeswhen the images have been played back in another device.

Solution to Problem

An image control device of the present invention is characterized bycomprising: an acquisition unit that acquires, from an external machine,image data as well as time data on when an image based on the image datahas been displayed in the external machine; a data memory unit thatstores, for each unit of image data, the image data and the time dataacquired in the acquisition unit; and a prioritization determinationunit that determines, on the basis of the time data, a prioritization ofthe image data stored in the data memory unit.

An image control system of the present invention is an image displaysystem comprising a digital camera and an image display device, whereinthe digital camera is characterized by comprising: an image memory unitthat stores image data; an image playback unit that plays back an imagebased on the image data; a time measurement unit that measures a timewhen the image based on the image data has been played back in the imageplayback unit; and a time control unit that stores, for each unit ofimage data, time data relating to the time; and in that the imagecontrol device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires, from thedigital camera, the image data and the time data; a data memory unitthat stores, for each unit of image data, the image data and the timedata acquired in the acquisition unit; and a prioritizationdetermination unit that determines, on the basis of the time data, aprioritization of the image data stored in the data memory unit.

An image control system of the present invention is an image controlsystem comprising an image display device and a digital camera, whereinthe image display device is characterized by comprising: an image memoryunit that stores image data; an image display unit that displays animage based on the image data; a display time measurement unit thatmeasures a display time when the image based on the image data has beendisplayed in the image display unit; and a time control unit thatstores, for each unit of image data, display time data relating to thedisplay time; and in that the digital camera comprises an acquisitionunit that acquires, from the image display device, the image data andthe display time data; a data memory unit that stores, for each unit ofimage data, the image data and the display time data acquired in theacquisition unit; and a prioritization determination unit thatdetermines, on the basis of the display time data, a prioritization ofthe image data stored in the data memory unit.

A digital camera of the present invention is characterized bycomprising: an acquisition unit that acquires, from an external machine,image data as well as time data on when an image based on the image datahas been displayed in the external machine; a data memory unit thatstores, for each unit of image data, the image data and the time dataacquired in the acquisition unit; a prioritization determination unitthat determines, on the basis of the time data, a prioritization of theimage data stored in the data memory unit; an image playback unit thatplays back the image based on the image data; and a playback controlunit that controls the image playback unit to play back the image basedon the image data on the basis of the prioritization determined by theprioritization determination unit.

A digital camera of the present invention is characterized bycomprising: an image memory unit that stores image data; a display unitthat plays back an image based on the image data; a projection unit thatprojects the image based on the image data; a playback time measurementunit that measures a playback time when the image based on the imagedata has been played back by the display unit; a projection timemeasurement unit that measures a projection time when the image based onthe image data has been projected by the projection unit; a playbacktime memory unit that stores, for each unit of image data, playback timedata relating to the playback time; a projection time memory unit thatstores, for each unit of image data, projection time data relating tothe projection time; a first prioritization determination unit thatdetermines, on the basis of the playback time data stored in theplayback time memory unit, a prioritization of the image data stored inthe image memory unit; a second prioritization determination unit thatdetermines, on the basis of the projection time data stored in theprojection time memory unit, a prioritization of the image data storedin the image memory unit; a display control unit that controls thedisplay unit to display the image based on the image data stored in theimage memory unit on the basis of the prioritization determined by thesecond prioritization determination unit; and a projection control unitthat controls the projection unit to project the image based on theimage data stored in the image memory unit on the basis of theprioritization determined by the first prioritization determinationunit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine aprioritization of image data, on the basis of the time when images havebeen played back in another device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of adigital camera in an image display system according to a firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of adigital photo frame in the image display system according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating image playback processing of thedigital camera in the image display system according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a file of the digital camera in theimage display system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating image projection processing of aprojector in the image display system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating image display processing of thedigital photo frame in the image display system according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the file of the digital camera in theimage display system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating prioritization determinationprocessing of the digital photo frame in the image display systemaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a file of the digital photo frame inthe image display system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating prioritization determinationprocessing of a digital camera in an image display system according to asecond embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a file of the digital camera accordingto the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating prioritization determinationprocessing of a digital camera according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a file of the digital camera accordingto the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of atelevision in an image display system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a configuration of an image file usedin the image display system according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of the image fileused in the image display system according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating image display processing of adigital camera in the image display system according to the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating image display processing of thetelevision in the image display system according to the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating prioritization determinationprocessing of the image display system according to the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a drawing illustrating a display time and a predeterminedcoefficient value in the image display system according to the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating prioritization determinationprocessing of a television according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a drawing illustrating a file of a digital camera in an imagedisplay system according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

What follows is a description of an image display system according to afirst embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 isa block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a digital camera4 in an image display system 2 according to the first embodiment. Theimage display system 2 is provided with the digital camera 4 as well aswith a digital photo frame (hereinafter, “DPF”) 6, and is connected viaa USB cable 7. The digital camera 4 is provided with a CPU 10, and theCPU 10 is provided with: a power source switch 12 for switching betweenan on and off state of a power source of the digital camera 4; anoperation key 14 used during a function setting of the digital camera 4and during a display setting of an image; a mode setting unit 16 forsetting an image playback mode for causing a display unit of the digitalcamera 4 to play back and display an image, an image projection mode forprojecting an image, and a ranking mode for determining a prioritizationof image data and for playing back and displaying, on the basis of theprioritization, an image based on the image data; a data transfer button18 for commanding a transfer of data from the digital camera 4 to theDPF 6; a USB port 20 at which a USE machine is connected; and a networkterminal 22 at which an Ethernet (trademark) standard or other networkcable is connected.

The CPU 10 is connected to: a display control unit 26 for controllingthe display of an LCD display unit 24; an imaging unit 28 having animaging element constituted of a CCD or the like for imaging a subject;a memory unit 30 for storing image data generated by an A/D conversion,in an A/D conversion unit (not shown), of an imaging signal outputtedfrom the imaging unit 28, and the like; a memory card slot 32 forinserting and removing a memory card for storing image data relating toan image captured in the imaging unit 28, and the like; a projectionunit 34 for projecting an image based on the image data; a timemeasurement unit 36 for counting a playback time (Cc) relating to theimage played back and displayed in the LCD display unit 24 as well as aprojection time (Cp) relating to the image projected by the projectionunit 34; and a data memory unit 38 for storing, for each file of theimage data, the playback time (Cc) and the projection time (Cp) countedin the time measurement unit 36. Herein, the projection unit 34 isprovided with: a power source control unit 42 for turning on and off anLED 40, which is a light source, and for adjusting the light intensityof projection light emitted from the LED 40; and a projection controlunit 46 for controlling an LCOS 44 for displaying a projected image. TheCPU 10 is connected to a flash RAM 48, and the flash RAM 48 stores aprogram for controlling the entirety of the camera according to theembodiment as well as a program for executing processing illustrated inthe flow charts described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating the system configuration ofthe DPF 6 in the image display system 2 according to the firstembodiment. The DPF 6 is provided with a CPU 50, and the CPU 50 isprovided with: a power source switch 52 for switching between an on andoff state of a power source of the DPF 6; an operation key 54 usedduring a function setting of the DPF 6 and during a display setting ofan image; a mode setting unit 56 for setting an image display mode fordisplaying an image, and a ranking mode for determining a prioritizationof image data and for displaying an image on the basis of theprioritization; a data transfer button 58 for commanding a transfer ofdata from the DPF 6 to the digital camera 4; a USE port 60 at which aUSB machine is connected; and a network terminal 62 at which an Ethernet(trademark) standard or other network cable is connected. The CPU 50 isconnected to: a display control unit 66 for controlling the display ofan LCD display unit 64; a memory unit 68 for storing image data relatingto the image displayed on the LCD display unit 64; a memory card slot 70for inserting and removing a memory card for storing the image data; atime measurement unit 72 for counting a display time (Cd) relating tothe image displayed on the LCD display unit 64; and a data memory unit74 for storing, for each file of the image data, the display time (Cd)counted in the time measurement unit 72. The CPU 50 is connected to aflash RAM 76, and the flash RAM 76 stores a program for controlling theentirety of the DPF according to the embodiment as well as a program forexecuting processing illustrated in the flow charts described below.

Next, a description of image playback processing of the digital camera 4in the image display system 2 according to the first embodiment shallnow be provided, with reference to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 3.Firstly, when the mode setting unit 16 is operated and the imageplayback mode is thereby set, the CPU 10 reads image data selected by anoperator from the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 32, andcauses, via the display control unit 26, the LCD display unit 24 to playback and display an image based on the image data (step S11). In a casewhere the image has been played back and displayed, a determination ismade as to whether or not the time when the image has been played backand displayed has passed a predetermined duration of time (step S12).The predetermined duration of time serving as the criterion in step S12can be set by the operator as desired, such as, for example, to 3seconds. In a case where the time when the image has been played backand displayed has passed the predetermined duration of time (step S12:Y), counting of the playback time (Cc) of the image is begun in the timemeasurement unit 36 (step S13). For example, in a case where the timewhen an “image 1” has been played hack and displayed passes 3 seconds,then the CPU 10 begins counting the playback time (Cc) of the “image 1”.On the other hand, no counting is performed in a case where the timewhen the image has been played back and displayed does not pass 3seconds (step S12: N).

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not another image has been playedback and displayed on the LCD display unit 24 (step S14). In a casewhere, for example, the operation key 14 has been used to perform animage frame advance or other operation, then the CPU 10 determines thatanother image has been played hack and displayed. In a case where noother image has been played back and displayed (step S14: N), then theCPU 10 determines whether or not a switch has been made from the imageplayback mode to another mode (step S15). In a case where, for example,the mode setting unit 16 has been operated and the projection mode hasbeen set, then a determination is made that a switch has been made toanother mode. In a case where another image has been played back anddisplayed (step S14: Y), and in a case where a switch has been made toanother mode (step S15: Y), the CPU 10 causes the playback time (Cc) tobe stored in a predetermined file (hereinafter, “the first file”) storedin the data memory unit 38 for each file of the image data (step S16).For example, the playback time (Cc) is stored as 10 seconds for the“image 1”. In a case where the playback times (Cc) have been countedfrom the “image 1” until an “image N”, then the playback times (Cc) arestored in the first file as illustrated in FIG. 4. Specifically, theplayback time (Cc) is stored as 10 seconds for the “image 1”, which isthe first image to be played back and displayed, and the playback time(Cc) is stored as 10 seconds for an “image 2,” which is the other image;then, an “image 3” and an “image 4” played back and displayed thereafterare played back and displayed for a time less than 3 seconds, and theplayback time (Cc) thereof is therefore stored as 0 seconds. Theplayback time (Cc) is stored as 40 seconds for an “image 5”, as 20seconds for an “image 6”, and so on until the “image N” for each file ofthe image data relating to the images that have been played back anddisplayed. On the other hand, in a case where no switch has been made toanother mode (step S15: N), the counting of the playback time (Cc) ofthe image is continued (step S13). After the termination of the imageplayback mode, the CPU 10 stores the first file, which is stored in thedata memory unit 38, in the memory card inserted into the memory cardslot 32.

Next, a description of image projection processing by the projectionunit 34 of the digital camera 4 in the image display system 2 accordingto the first embodiment shall now be provided, with reference to theflow chart illustrated in FIG. 5. Firstly, when the mode setting unit 16is operated and the image projection mode for projecting images is set,then the CPU 10 commands the projection unit 34 to begin projecting, andthe power source control unit 42 turns on the LED 40. The projectioncontrol unit 46 reads out image data relating to the projected imagefrom the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 32, and displaysthe image on the LCOS 44, thus performing image projection (step S21).In a case where image projection has been performed, the CPU 10determines whether or not the projection time of the image has passed apredetermined duration of time (step S22). The predetermined duration oftime serving as the criterion in step S22 can be set by the operator asdesired, such as, for example, to 3 seconds. In a case where the timewhen the image has been projected has passed the predetermined durationof time (step S22: Y), counting of the projection time (Cp) of the imageis begun in the time measurement unit 36 (step S23). For example, in acase where the time when “the image 1” has been projected passes 3seconds, then the CPU 10 begins counting the projection time (Cp) of the“image 1”. On the other hand, no counting is performed in a case wherethe time when the image has been projected does not pass 3 seconds (stepS22: N).

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not another image has beenprojected (step S24). In a case where, for example, the operation key 14has been used to perform a frame advance or other operation of the imagebeing projected, then a determination is made that another image hasbeen projected. In a case where no other image has been projected (stepS24: N), then the CPU 10 determines whether or not a switch has beenmade from the image projection mode to another mode (step S25). In acase where, for example, the mode setting unit 16 has been operated andthe image playback mode has been set, then a determination is made thata switch has been made to another mode. In a case where another imagehas been projected (step S24: Y), and in a case where a switch has beenmade to another mode (step S25: Y), the CPU 10 causes the projectiontime (Cp) to be stored in the first file stored in the data memory unit38 for each file of the image data (step S26). For example, theprojection time (Cp) is stored as 8 seconds for the “image 1”. In a casewhere the projection times (Cp) have been counted from the “image 1”until the “image N”, then the projection times (Cp) are stored in thefirst file as illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, the projection time (Cp)is stored as 8 seconds for the “image 1”, which is the first image to beprojected, and the projection time (Cp) is stored as 20 seconds for the“image 2,” which is the other image; then, the projection time (Cp) isstored as 5 seconds and as 30 seconds for the “image 3” and the “image4”, respectively, having been projected thereafter. The “image 5” isprojected for a time less than 3 seconds, and the projection time (Cp)thereof is therefore stored as 0 seconds. The projection time (Cp) isstored as 8 seconds for the “image 6”, as 20 seconds for an “image 6”,and so on until the “image N” for each file of the image data relatingto the images that have been projected. On the other hand, in a casewhere no switch has been made to another mode (step S25: N), thecounting of the projection time (Cp) of the image is continued (stepS23). After the termination of the image projection mode, the CPU 10stores the first file, which is stored in the data memory unit 38, inthe memory card inserted into the memory card slot 32.

Next, a description of data transfer processing, from the digital camera4 to the DPF 6, in the image display system 2 according to the firstembodiment shall now be provided. Firstly, when the data transfer button18 is operated by the operator, the CPU 10 of the digital camera 4 readsout the first file and the image data stored in the memory card insertedinto the memory card slot 32, and transmits the same to the DPF 6 fromthe USE port 20 via the USE cable 7. The DPF 6 receives the first fileand the image data via the USB port 60, and a command from the CPU 50causes the first file and the image data to be stored in the memory cardinserted into the memory card slot 70.

Next, a description of image display processing of the DPF 6 in theimage display system 2 according to the first embodiment shall now beprovided, with reference to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 6.Firstly, when the mode setting unit 56 is operated and the image displaymode is set, then the CPU 50 reads out, from the memory card insertedinto the memory card slot 70, image data selected by the operator, andcauses, via the display control unit 66, the LCD display unit 64 todisplay an image based on the image data (step S31). In a case where theimage has been displayed, the CPU 50 determines whether or not thedisplay time of the image has passed a predetermined duration of time(step S32). The predetermined duration of time serving as the criterionin step S32 can be set by the operator as desired, such as, for example,to 3 seconds. In a case where the display time of the image has passedthe predetermined duration of time (step S32: Y), the CPU 50 beginscounting the display time (Cd) of the image in the time measurement unit72 (step S33). In a case where, for example, the time where the “image1” has been displayed passes 3 seconds, then the counting of the displaytime (Cd) of the “image 1” is begun. On the other hand, no counting isperformed in a case where the time when the image has been displayeddoes not pass 3 seconds (step S32: N).

Next, the CPU 50 determines whether or not another image has beendisplayed on the LCD display unit 64 (step S34). In a case where, forexample, the operation key 54 has been used to perform an image frameadvance or other operation, then a determination is made that anotherimage has been displayed. In a case where no other image has beendisplayed (step S34: N), then the CPU 50 determines whether or not aswitch has been made from the image display mode to another mode (stepS35). In a case where, for example, the mode setting unit 56 has beenoperated and the ranking mode has been set, then a determination is madethat a switch has been made to another mode. In a case where anotherimage has been displayed (step S34: Y) and in a case where a switch hasbeen made to another mode (step S35: Y), then the CPU 50 causes thedisplay time (Cd) to be stored in a predetermined file (hereinafter, the“second file”) stored in the data memory unit 74 for each file of theimage data (step S36). For example, the time where the “image 1” hasbeen displayed is less than 3 seconds, and therefore the display time(Cd) is stored as 0 seconds. In a case where counting of the displaytimes (Cd) has been performed from the “image 1” to the “image N”, thenthe display times (Cd) are stored in the second file as illustrated inFIG. 7. Specifically, the “image 1”, which is the first image to bedisplayed, is displayed for a time less than 3 seconds, and thereforethe display time (Cd) is stored as 0 seconds; the display time (Cd) isstored as 5 seconds for the “image 2”, which is the other image, then,the display time (Cd) is stored as 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 7 seconds,and 6 seconds for the “image 3”, the “image 4”, the “image 5”, and the“image 6”, respectively, having been played back and displayedthereafter, and so on until the “image N” for each file of the imagedata relating to the images that have been displayed. On the other hand,in a case where no switch has been made to another mode (step S35: N),the counting of the display time (Cd) of the image is continued (stepS33). After the termination of the image display mode, a command fromthe CPU 50 causes the second file stored in the data memory unit 38 tobe stored in the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 70.

Next, a description of prioritization determination processing in theimage display system 2 according to the first embodiment shall now beprovided, with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustratingthe prioritization determination processing of the DPF 6. Firstly, whenthe mode setting unit 56 is operated and the ranking mode is therebyset, the CPU 50 reads out the first file and the second file from thememory card inserted into the memory card slot 70 (step S41), andcombines the first file and the second file to thereby generate a newfile (hereinafter, the “third file”) for determining the prioritizationof the image data (see FIG. 9). Next, for each unit of image data storedin the third file, the CPU 50 calculates a total time (Ca), which is thesum of the playback time (Cc), the projection time (Cp), and the displaytime (Cd), and causes the calculated time to be stored as the total time(Ca) (step S42). For example, the “image 1” has a total time (Ca) of 18seconds, because 18 seconds is the sum of the playback time (Cc) of 10seconds, the projection time (Cp) of 8 seconds, and the display time(Cd) of 0 seconds. Next, the CPU 50 determines the prioritization of theimage data in order of magnitude of the total time (Ca), and causes theorder to be stored (step S43). For example, in FIG. 9, theprioritization of the image data is, in order, the “image 5”, the “image4”, the “image 2”, the “image 6”, the “image 1”, and the “image 3”,because the total time (Ca) of the “image 1” is 18 seconds, the totaltime (Ca) of the “image 2” is 35 seconds, the total time (Ca) of the“image 3” is 15 seconds, the total time (Ca) of the “image 4” is 45seconds, the total time (Ca) of the “image 5” is 47 seconds, and thetotal time (Ca) of the “image 6” is 34 seconds. Next, a command from theCPU 50 causes the image data to be sequentially read out, on the basisof the prioritization, from the memory card inserted into the memorycard slot 70, in order beginning with the earliest number ofprioritization, and the display control unit 66 causes the LCD displayunit 64 to sequentially display images based on the read-out image data(step S44). The display images are switched over, for example, at10-second intervals, and the images are displayed in order beginningwith the earliest number of prioritization.

In the prioritization determination processing of the image displaysystem 2 according to the first embodiment, the display time (Cd) iscounted and the calculation of the total time (Ca), including thedisplay time (Cd), is performed in the DPF 6, but the counting of thedisplay time (Cd) in the DPF 6 need not be performed. In such a case,after the data transfer processing, only the playback time (Cc) and theprojection time (Cp) in the digital camera 4 are summed up to calculate,in the DPF 6, the total time (Ca) (step S42). Next, the CPU 50determines the prioritization of the image data (step S43), and acommand from the CPU 50 causes the image data to be sequentially readout, on the basis of the prioritization, from the memory card insertedinto the memory card slot 70, in order beginning with the earliestnumber of prioritization, and the LCD display unit 64 sequentiallydisplays images based on the read-out image data (step S44). The displayimages are switched over, for example, at 10-second intervals, and theimages are displayed in order beginning with the earliest number ofprioritization.

According to the image display system 2 based on the first embodiment,the time when the images have been played back can be counted in thedigital camera 4, and the prioritization of the image data can bedetermined in the DPF 6 on the basis of the time counted in the digitalcamera 4.

What follows is a description of an image display system according to asecond embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theimage display system according to the second embodiment is configuredsuch that the determination of the prioritization, then performed in theDPF 6 in the image display system 2 according to the first embodiment isinstead performed in the digital camera 4. Consequently, a detaileddescription of constituent elements identical to those of the firstembodiment has been omitted, and only points of difference are describedin detail. Further, the description is provided using the same referencenumerals for the same parts of the configuration as in the firstembodiment.

Firstly, in the DPF 6, the CPU 50 counts the display time (Cd), storesthe display time (Cd) in the second file of the data memory unit 74 foreach file of the image data, and causes the second file to be stored inthe memory card inserted into the memory card slot 70 (see FIG. 7).Next, the CPU 50 of the DPF 6 reads out the second file and the imagedata stored in the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 70,and transmits the same from the USB port 60 to the digital camera 4 viathe USB cable 7. The digital camera 4 receives the image data and thesecond file via the USB port 20, and the CPU 10 causes the image dataand the second file to be stored in the memory card inserted into thememory card slot 32.

Next, the prioritization determination processing illustrated by theflow chart of FIG. 10 is performed in the digital camera 4.Specifically, when the ranking mode is set by the operator, the CPU 10reads out the second file from the memory card inserted into the memorycard slot 32 (step S51), and generates, from the second file, a new file(hereinafter, the “fourth file”) for determining the prioritization ofthe image data (see FIG. 11). Next, from the display time (Cd), the CPU10 calculates, the total time (Ca) for each unit of image data stored inthe fourth file, and stores the calculated times in a column for thetotal times (Ca) (step S52). For example, the total time (Ca) for the“image 1” is 0 seconds, because the display time (Cd) is 0 seconds, andthe total time (Ca) for the “image 2” is 5 seconds, because the displaytime (Cd) is 5 seconds; the total time (Ca) is 10 seconds for the “image3”, 15 seconds for the “image 4”, 7 seconds for the “image 5”, and 6seconds for the “image 6”. Next, the CPU 10 determines theprioritization of the image data in order of magnitude of total time(Ca), and stores the order in a column for ranking (step S53). Theprioritization of the image data is, for example, the “image 4”, the“image 3”, the “image 5”, the “image 6”, the “image 2”, and the “image1”, in this order.

Next, a command from the CPU 10 causes the image data to be sequentiallyread out, on the basis of the prioritization, from the memory cardinserted into the memory card slot 32 in order beginning from theearliest number of prioritization, and the display control unit 26causes the LCD display unit 24 to sequentially play back and displayimages based on the read-out image data (step S54). The display imagesare switched over, for example, at 10-second intervals, and the imagesare displayed in order beginning with the earliest number ofprioritization.

According to the image display system based on the second embodiment,the time when the images have been displayed can be counted in the DPF6, and the prioritization of the image data can be determined in thedigital camera 4 on the basis of the time counted in the DPF 6.

The image data for which a prioritization has been determined may alsobe projected by the projection unit 34. In such a case, after theprioritization has been determined, the CPU 10 commands the projectionunit 34 to begin projecting, and the power source control unit 42 turnson the LED 40. The projection control unit 46 reads out from the memorycard inserted into the memory card slot 32, and displays on the LCOS 44,image data relating to the projected image, on the basis of theprioritization of the image data, thus performing image projection (stepS54).

The total time (Ca) may also be calculated inclusive of either one orboth of the playback time (Cc) and projection time (Cp) in the digitalcamera 4. For example, in the DPF 6, a command from the CPU 50 causesthe display time (Cd) to be counted and stored in the second file, thesecond file then being transmitted to the digital camera 4 via the USBcable 7. The second file is stored in the memory card inserted into thememory card slot 32. Next, in the digital camera 4, the CPU 10 countsthe playback time (Cc) and the projection time (Cp), stores the same inthe first file, and stores the first file in the memory card insertedinto the memory card slot 32. Next, the prioritization determinationprocessing is performed. Specifically, the CPU 10 reads out the firstfile and the second file from the memory card inserted into the memorycard slot 32, and combines the first file and the second file, the CPU10 thereby generating the third file (see FIG. 9). Next, for each unitof image data stored in the third file, the total time (Ca), being thesum of the playback time (Cc), the projection time (Cp), and the displaytime (Cd)), is calculated, and the prioritization of the image data isdetermined; the image data is sequentially read out from the memory cardinserted into the memory card slot 32 on the basis of the prioritizationin order beginning with the earliest number of prioritization, andimages based on the read-out image data are displayed sequentially onthe LCD display unit 64. The display images are switched over, forexample, at 10-second intervals, and the images are displayed in orderbeginning with the earliest number of prioritization. In such a case,the image data for which the prioritization has been determined may alsobe projected by the projection unit 34.

What follows is a description of the digital camera 4 according to athird embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The imagedisplay system according to the third embodiment is configured such thatprocessing performed in series in the image display system 2 accordingto the first embodiment is instead performed within the digital camera4. Consequently, a detailed description of constituent elementsidentical to those of the first embodiment has been omitted, and onlypoints of difference are described in detail. Further, the descriptionis provided using the same reference numerals for the same parts of theconfiguration as in the first embodiment.

Firstly, the playback time (Cc) is counted, and the playback time (Cc)is stored in the first file of the data memory unit 38 for each file ofthe image data. Next, the prioritization determination processingillustrated by the flow chart in FIG. 12 is performed. Specifically,when the ranking mode is set by the operator, the CPU 10 reads out thefirst file from the data memory unit 38 (step S61), and generates a newfile (hereinafter, the “fifth file”) for determining the prioritizationof the image data (see FIG. 13). Next, the CPU 10 calculates, from theplayback time (Cc), the total time (Ca) for each unit of image datastored in the fifth file, and stores the calculated times in the columnfor total times (Ca) (step S62). For example, the total time (Ca) forthe “image 1” is 10 seconds, because the playback time (Cc) is 10seconds, and the total time (Ca) for the “image 2” is 10 seconds,because the playback time (Cc) is 10 seconds; the total time (Ca) is 0seconds for the “image 3”, 0 seconds for the “image 4”, 40 seconds forthe “image 5”, and 20 seconds for the “image 6”. Herein, in a case wherethe total times (Ca) are identical, the image data assigned the smallernumber is given priority.

Next, the CPU 10 determines the prioritization of the image data inorder of magnitude of the total time (Ca), and causes the order to bestored (step S63). For example, the prioritization of the image data isthe “image 5”, the “image 4”, the “image 2”, the “image 6”, the “image1”, and the “image 3”, in this order. Next, a command from the CPU 10causes the projection control unit 46 to sequentially read out from thedata memory unit 38, and display on the LCOS 44, image data relating tothe image projected by the projection unit 34, on the basis of theprioritization of the image data and in order beginning with theearliest number of prioritization, thus sequentially performing imageprojection (step S64). The projected images are switched over, forexample, at 10-second intervals, and the images are displayed in orderbeginning with the earliest number of prioritization.

According to the digital camera based on the third embodiment, the timewhen the image is played back and displayed in the LCD display unit 24can be counted, and the prioritization of image data relating to theimage projected by the projection unit 34 can be determined on the basisof the time counted.

The CPU 10 may also count the projection time (Cp), calculate the totaltime (Ca) from the projection time (Cp) (step S62), and determine theprioritization of the image data in order of magnitude of the total time(Ca) (step S63). In such a case, the display control unit 26 causes theLCD display unit 24 to sequentially play back and display the imagesbased on the image data on the basis of the prioritization determined onthe basis of the projection time (Cp) (step S64).

The total time (Ca) may also be calculated from both the playback time(Cc) and the projection time (Cp). For example, the CPU 10 may counteach of the playback time (Cc) and the projection time (Cp)respectively, calculate the total time (Ca), being the sum of theplayback time (Cc) and the projection time (Cp), determine theprioritization of the image data in order of magnitude of the total time(CA), and cause images based on the image data to be sequentiallydisplayed on the LCD display unit 64 or projected by the projection unit34 sequentially on the basis of the prioritization.

In the embodiments above, the calculation of the total time (Ca)involves the summing up of the playback tine (Cc), the projection time(Cp), and the display time (Cd) without alteration, but the calculationmay also be performed once a weighting has been assigned. For example,either the CPU 10 or the CPU 50 may calculate a total value bymultiplying α, β, γ, or other predetermined coefficients, such that theplayback time (Cc)×α, the projection time (Cp)×β, and the display time(Cd)×γ, and the display order or projection order may be determined onthe basis of the calculated total value. This makes it possible todetermine the prioritization of the image data once consideration hasbeen given to the importance of each of the times. For example, in acase where it is determined that an image displayed on the LCD displayunit 24 of the digital camera 4 is an image meant to be recognized bythe person who captured the image and is therefore of low importance;where an image projected by the projection unit 34 is an image meant tobe seen by a plurality of people and is therefore of high importance;and where an image displayed on the LCD display unit 64 of the DPF 6 isan image meant to be viewed and is therefore deemed not to be asimportance as the image projected by the projection unit 34, then thecoefficients can be set such that α<γ<β, whereby the image projected bythe projection unit 34 can be set to have a high priority and the imagedisplayed on the LCD display unit 24 of the digital camera 4 can be setto have a low priority.

A file created in the DPF may be used during display on the camera, anda file created in the camera may be used in the DPF. Specifically, theCPU 50 may refer to the prioritization determined by the CPU 10, and theCPU 10 may refer to the prioritization determined by the CPU 50.

In the embodiments above, communication between the digital camera 4 andthe DPF 6 is performed via the USB cable 7, but data may also beacquired directly from the memory cards by the insertion and removal ofthe memory cards into/from the memory card slots 32 and 70. For example,in the image display system according to the first embodiment, theplayback time (Cc) of the image data is counted in the image playbackmode and stored in the first file, and the first file is stored in thememory card inserted into the memory card slot 32 after the terminationof the image playback mode. The operator takes out the memory card fromthe memory card slot 32 and inserts the same into the memory card slot70 of the DPF 6. The CPU 50 of the DPF 6 may read out the first filefrom the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 70 and generatethe third file, calculate the total time (Ca) from the playback time(Cc), and determine the prioritization of the image data in order ofmagnitude of the total time (Ca), the display control unit 66 thencausing the LCD display unit 64 to sequentially display images based onthe image data, on the basis of the prioritization.

Moreover, wireless USB communication may be used, or anothercommunicating means other than USB communication may be used. Such meansmake it possible to transmit and receive image data and the like betweenthe digital camera 4 and the DPF 6.

What follows is a description of an image display system according to afourth embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theimage display system according to the fourth embodiment is configuredsuch that the DPF 6 is replaced with a television 8 in the image displaysystem 2 according to the first embodiment, and the determination of theprioritization is instead performed in the television 8. Instead ofstoring a time when an image has been displayed (hereinafter, a displaytime (Cx) is used as a phrase that comprehensively includes the playbacktime (Cc), the projection time (Op), the display time (Cd), the timewhen the image has been displayed on the television 8, and the like) ina predetermined file, the time is stored in a header part of the imagedata as tag information, and the most recently counted display time (Cx)is stored having been added to the display time(s) (Cx) already storedin the header part of the image data. A weighting is assigned to thedisplay time (Cx) when the total time (Ca) is calculated in the rankingmode, whereby the prioritization is determined so as to reflect theimportance of each of the display times (Cx). Consequently, a detaileddescription of constituent elements identical to those of the firstembodiment has been omitted, and only points of difference are describedin detail. Further, the description is provided using the same referencenumerals for the same parts of the configuration as in the firstembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of thetelevision 8 in an image display system 3 according to the fourthembodiment. The image display system 3 is provided with the digitalcamera 4 and with the television 8, and is connected via the USB cable7. The television 8 is provided with a CPU 80, and the CPU 80 isprovided with: a power source switch 82 for switching between an on andoff state of a power source of the television 8; an operation key 84used during a function setting of the television 8 and during a displaysetting of an image; a mode setting unit 86 for setting an image displaymode for displaying an image and a ranking mode for determining aprioritization of image data and for displaying, on the basis of theprioritization, an image; a data transfer button 88 for commanding atransfer of data from the television 8 to the digital camera 4; a USBport 90 at which a USB machine is connected; and a network terminal 92at which an Ethernet (trademark) standard or other network cable isconnected.

The CPU 80 is connected to: a demodulator 96 for demodulating abroadcast signal received by a tuner 94 via an antenna (not shown); adisplay control unit 100 for controlling the display of an LCD panel 98;a VRAM 102 for storing image data relating to an image displayed on theLCD panel 98; an audio output control unit 106 for controlling audiooutputted from a speaker 104; a memory card slot 110 for inserting andremoving a memory card for storing the image data; a time measurementunit 112 for counting the display time (Cx) of an image having beendisplayed on the LCD panel 98; a data memory unit 114 for storing, foreach file of the image data, the display time (Cx) counted in the timemeasurement unit 112; and a ROM 115 for storing a predeterminedcoefficient for assigning a weighting to the display time (Cx) when thetotal time (Ca) is calculated in the ranking mode. The CPU 80 is alsoconnected to a flash RAM 116 and stores a program for controlling theentire television according to the embodiment as well as a program forexecuting the processing illustrated by the flow charts described below.

Next, a description of a configuration of an image file used in theimage display system 3 according to the fourth embodiment shall now beprovided, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Image data isstored in the memory card as an Exif or in another predetermined fileformat; for example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, thumbnail image data 204and a header part 206 are appended to image data 202 relating to a file“001.jpg”, which is an image file for 2D display. The header part 206stores, as tag information, the display times (Cx), i.e.: the playbacktime (Cc) when the image based on the image data 202 has been playedback-on the LCD display unit 24 of the digital camera 4; the projectiontime (Cp) when the image has been projected by the projection unit 34 ofthe digital camera 4; the display time (Cd) when the image has beendisplayed on the LCD display unit 64 of the DPF 6; a display time (Ct)when the image has been displayed on the LCD panel 98 of the television8; a display time (Cpc) when the image has been displayed on a displayunit of a personal computer, which is an external machine (not shown); adisplay time (Cm) when the image has been displayed on a display unit ofa mobile telephone, which is an external machine (not shown); and anediting history (Ce) of the image data.

Herein, the display time (Ct) is stored having been further classifiedinto the display format and the display size of the image. Specifically,in a case where the image based on the image data 202 has been3D-displayed on the LCD panel 98, then a display time (Ct (3D, L)) isstored in a case where the screen size of the television 8 is at least60 inches. In a case where the screen size of the television 8 is 26inches or greater and less than 60 inches, then a display time (Ct (3D,M)) is stored, and in a case where the screen size of the television 8is less than 26 inches, than a display time (Ct (3D, S)) is stored.Similarly, in a case where the image based on the image data 202 is2D-displayed on the LCD panel 98, then in a case where the screen sizeof the television 8 is at least 60 inches, a display time (Ct (2D, L))is stored; in a case where the screen size of the television 8 is 26inches or greater and less than 60 inches, a display time (Ct (2D, M))is stored; and in a case where the screen size of the television 8 isless than 26 inches, a display time (Ct, (2D, S)) is stored.

The editing history (Ce) is information indicative of whether or notskin correction processing, cropping, or other forms of editing havebeen performed on the image data. For example, in a case where noediting has been performed on the image data, a value of 1.0 is stored,and in a case where cropping has been performed on the image data, avalue of 1.5, which is a larger value than the 1.0 of the case where noediting has been performed, is stored. The editing history (Ce) is usedas a coefficient for when the total time (Ca) is calculated in theranking mode.

Right-eye image data and left-eye image data are stored in an image fileof an image for 3D display. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16,image data (right) 210 and image data (left) 212 are stored in an imagefile “001.mpo” of an image for 3D display, and thumbnail image data 214and a header part 216 are appended to the image data (right) 210 and theimage data (left) 212. The configuration of the header part 216 issimilar to the case of the file “001.jpg” described using FIG. 15. In acase where an image using the image file “001.mpo” is 3D-displayed onthe LCD panel 98 of the television 8, an image based on the image data(right) 210 and an image based on the image data (left) 212 aredisplayed alternatingly in time division. In a case of 2D display on theLCD panel 98, either an image based on the image data (right) 210 or animage based on the image data (left) 212 is displayed.

Next, a description of the image playback processing of the digitalcamera 4 in the image display system 3 according to the fourthembodiment shall now be provided, with reference to the flow chartillustrated in FIG. 17. Firstly, when the mode setting unit 16 isoperated and the image playback mode is thereby set, the CPU 10 readsout image data selected by the operator from the memory card insertedinto the memory card slot 32, and displays and plays back, on the LCDdisplay unit 24, an image based on the image data, via the displaycontrol unit 26 (step S71). In a case where the image has been playedback and displayed, a determination is made as to whether or not thetime when the image has been played back and displayed has passed apredetermined duration of time (for example, 3 seconds) (step S72); in acase where the time when the image has been played back and displayedhas passed the predetermined duration of time (step S72: Y), then acounting of the playback time (Cc) of the image is begun in the timemeasurement unit 36 (step S73). On the other hand, no counting isperformed in a case where the time when the image has been played backand displayed has not passed the predetermined duration of time (stepS72: N).

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not another image has been playedback and displayed on the LCD display unit 24 (step S74). In a casewhere no other image has been played back and displayed (step S74: N),the CPU 10 determines whether or not a switch has been made from theimage playback mode to another mode (step S75). In a case where anotherimage has been played back and displayed (step S74: Y) and in a casewhere a switch has been made to another mode (step S75: Y), the CPU 10adds the most recently counted playback time (Cc) to the playback time(Cc) already stored in the header part of the image data (step S76). Forexample, in the image file “001.jpg” (see FIG. 15), the header part 206of the image data 202 is taken to already have stored a playback time(Cc) for 10 seconds. Herein, in a case where the image based on theimage data 202 has been played back for 5 seconds on the LCD displayunit 24, the CPU 10 adds these 5 counted seconds to the 10 secondsalready stored in the header part 206, and updates the playback time(Cc) to 15 seconds. On the other hand, in a case where no switch hasbeen made to another mode (step S75: N), the counting of the playbacktime (Cc) of the image is continued (step S73). After the termination ofthe image playback mode, the CPU 10 stores, in the memory card insertedinto the memory card slot 32, the image file of the image data to whichthe playback time (Cc) has been added.

Next, when the data transfer button 18 is operated by the operator, theCPU 10 of the digital camera 4 reads out the image file stored in thememory card inserted into the memory card slot 32, and transmits thesame from the USB port 20 to the television 8 via the USB cable 7. Thetelevision 8 receives the image file via the USB port 90, and a commandfrom the CPU 80 causes the image file to be stored in the memory cardinserted into the memory card slot 110.

Next, with reference to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 18, adescription of the image display processing of the television 8 in theimage display system 3 according to the fourth embodiment shall now beprovided, using the example of a case where the television 8 is atelevision having a 60-inch screen size for 2D display of images on theLCD panel 98. Firstly, when the mode setting unit 86 is operated and theimage display mode is thereby set, the CPU 80 reads out image dataselected by the operator from the memory card inserted into the memorycard slot 110, and displays an image based on the image data on the LCDpanel 98, via the display control unit 100 (step S81). In a case wherethe image has been displayed, the CPU 80 determines whether or not thetime when the image has been displayed has passed a predeterminedduration of time (for example, 3 seconds) (step S82); in a case wherethe time when the image has been displayed has passed the predeterminedduration of time (step S82: Y), the CPU 80 begins a counting of thedisplay time (Ct (2D, L)) of the image in the time measurement unit 112(step S83). On the other hand, no counting is performed in a case wherethe time when the image has been displayed has not passed thepredetermined duration of time (step S82: N).

Next, the CPU 80 determines whether or not another image has beendisplayed on the LCD panel 98 (step S84). In a case where no other imagehas been displayed (step S84: N), the CPU 80 determines whether or not aswitch has been made from the image display mode to another mode (stepS85). In a case where another image has been displayed (step S84: Y) andin a case where a switch has been made to another mode (step S85: Y),the CPU 80 adds the most recently counted display time (Ct (2D, L)) tothe display time (Ct (2D, L)) already stored in the header part of theimage data (step S86). For example, in the image file “00l.jpg” (seeFIG. 15), the header part 206 of the image data 202 is taken to alreadyhave stored a playback time (Ct (2D, L)) for 10 seconds. Herein, in acase where the image based on the image data 202 has been displayed for5 seconds on the LCD panel 98, the CPU 80 adds these 5 counted secondsto the 10 seconds already stored in the header part 206, and updates thedisplay time (Ct (2D, L)) to 15 seconds. On the other hand, in a casewhere no switch has been made to another mode (step S85: N), thecounting of the display time (Ct (2D, L)) of the image is continued(step S83). After the termination of the image playback mode, the CPU 80causes the image file of the image data to which the display time (Ct(2D, L)) has been added to be stored in the memory card inserted intothe memory card slot 110.

Next, a description of the prioritization determination processing inthe image display system 3 according to the fourth embodiment shall nowbe provided, with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 19 is aflow chart illustrating the prioritization determination processing ofthe television 8. Firstly, when the mode setting unit 86 is operated andthe ranking mode is thereby set, the CPU 80 reads out the editinghistory (Ce) and the display times (Cx) from the header part having beenappended to the image data of the image file stored in the memory cardinserted into the memory card slot 110, and reads out a predeterminedcoefficient from the ROM 115 (step S91). Next, for each image filestored in the memory card, the total time (Ca) is calculated on thebasis of a mathematical equation 1 (step S92).

Total time (Ca)=editing history (Ce)×{α×playback time (Cc)+β×projectiontime (Cp)+γ×display time (Cd)+δ1×display time (Ct (3D, L))+δ2×displaytime (Ct (3D, M))+δ3×display time (Ct (3D, S))+δ4×display time (Ct (2D,L))+δ5×display time (Ct (2D, M))+δ6×display time (Ct (2D, S))+ε×displaytime (Cpc)+ζ×display time (Cm)}  [Math 1]

Herein, in the mathematical equation 1, the display time (Cx) of animage displayed on a large screen and viewed by a multitude of people ismultiplied by a coefficient having a high value, and the display time(Cx) of an image for confirmation displayed on a small screen ismultiplied by a coefficient having a small value. Also, with respect tothe LCD panel 98 of the television 8, the coefficient by which thedisplay time (Cx) of an image which is displayed in 3D thereon ismultiplied is a larger value than that of the coefficient by which thedisplay time (Cx) of an image which is displayed in 2D thereon ismultiplied. Consequently, the values of the predetermined coefficientsare set such that ζ=α=ε<γ<δ6<δ5<δ4<δ3<δ2<δ1<β, in this order.

The total time (Ca) is calculated such that, in a case where the valueof the editing history (Ce) stored in the header part of the image dataof the image file “001.jpg” is 1.0 and where the value of the displaytime (Cx) and the value of the predetermined coefficient correspondingto the value of the display time (Cx) are the numbers as illustrated inFIG. 20, then, on the basis of the mathematical equation 1, total time(Ca)=1.0×{1.0×15 seconds+4.0×8 seconds+1.5×0 seconds+2.8×0 seconds+2.6×0seconds+2.4×0 seconds+2.2×15 seconds+2.0×0 seconds+1.8×0 seconds+1.0×4seconds+1.0×3 seconds}=87 seconds.

Next, the CPU 80 determines the prioritization of the image data inorder of magnitude of total time (Ca), and causes the order to be stored(step S93). For example, in addition to the image file “001.jpg”, animage file “002.jpg” and an image file “003.jpg” are also stored in thememory card, and the total times (Ca) for each of the image files aretaken to have been calculated. The total time (Ca) of the image based onthe image data of the image file “001.jpg” is taken to be 87 seconds;the total time (Ca) of the image based on the image data of the imagefile “002.jpg” is taken to be 95 seconds; and the total time (Ca) of theimage based on the image data of the image file “003.jpg” is taken to be52 seconds. In such a case, the prioritization of the image data will bethe image data of the image file “001.jpg”, the image data of the imagefile “003.jpg”, and the image data of the image file “002.jpg”, in thisorder. Next, a command from the CPU 80 causes the image data to be readout sequentially from the memory card inserted into the memory card slot110 on the basis of the prioritization order, and the display controlunit 100 sequentially displays the images based on the read-out imagedata on the LCD panel 98 (step S104). The display images are switchedover, for example, at 10-second intervals, and the images are displayedin order beginning with the earliest number of prioritization.

According to the image display system 3 based on the fourth embodiment,the time when the image has been played back is counted in the digitalcamera 4, and the prioritization of the image data can be determined inthe television 8 on the basis of the time counted in the digital camera4. Also, multiplying the display time (Cx) by the predeterminedcoefficient makes it possible to determine the prioritization so as toreflect the importance of each of the display times (Cx). Multiplyingthe display time (Cx) by the value of the editing history (Ce) makes itpossible to give greater priority to image data that has been edited.Also, because the most recently counted display time (Cx) is added inthe digital camera 4 and the television 8 to the display time (Cx)already stored in the header part of the image data, the prioritizationcan be determined in consideration also of the total time when the imagehas been displayed in the past.

What follows is a description of a television 8 according to a fifthembodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, using theexample of a case where the television 8 is a television having a60-inch screen size for the 3D display of images on the LCD panel 98.The television 8 according to the fifth embodiment is configured suchthat the processing performed in series in the image display system 2according to the fourth embodiment is instead performed in thetelevision 8. Also, the calculation of the total time (Ca) in theranking mode has been made to reflect only the display time (Cc) of theimage displayed on the own device. In a case where an image based onimage data for 3D display has been displayed on the LCD panel 98, thenthe display time (Ct (3D, L)) is stored also in the header part of theimage data for 2D display subordinate to the image data for 3D display(for example, image data for 2D display, in the case where there existsthe image data for 3D display as well as the image data for 2D displayfor the same image). Consequently, a detailed description of constituentelements identical to those of the fourth embodiment has been omitted,and only points of difference are described in detail. Further, thedescription is provided using the same reference numerals for the sameparts of the configuration as in the fourth embodiment.

Next, a description of the image display processing of the television 8according to the fifth embodiment shall now be provided. Firstly, theCPU 80 counts the display time (Ct, (3D, L)) when the image based on theimage data for 3D display has been 3D-displayed on the LCD panel 98, andstores the display time (Ct (3D, L)) in the header part of the imagedata for 3D display. For example, an image based on the image data(right) 210 and an image based on the image data (left) 212 of the imagefile “001.mpo” (see FIG. 16) are 3D-displayed on the LCD panel 98 for atotal of 18 seconds. In such a case, the CPU 80 stores the display time(Ct (3D, L)) for 18 seconds in the header parts of the image data(right) 210 and the image data (left) 212.

Herein, in a case where the memory card has stored image data for 2Ddisplay that is subordinate to the image data of the image having been3D-displayed on the LCD panel 98, then the CPU 80 stores the samedisplay time (Ct (3D, L)) also for the header part of the subordinateimage data for 2D display. For example, in a case where the image file“001.jpg” of the image for 2D display (see FIG. 15) is stored in thememory card and where the image data 202 of the image file “001.jpg” issubordinate to the image data (right) 210 and the image data (left) 212of the image file “001.mpo” (see FIG. 16), then the CPU 80 causes thedisplay time (Ct (3D, L)) to be stored for 18 seconds also in the headerpart 206 of the image data 202 for 2D display.

Next, a description of the prioritization determination processing bythe television 8 according to the fifth embodiment shall now beprovided, with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the prioritization determination processing of thetelevision 8. Firstly, when the mode setting unit 86 is operated and theranking mode is thereby set, then the CPU 80 detects, from among theimage files stored in the memory card inserted into the memory card slot110, an image file in which the display time (Ct (3D, L)) has beenstored in the header part of the image data (step S101).

For example, the image file “001.mpo”, the image file “002.mpo”, theimage file “003.mpo”, the image file “004.mpo”, and the image file“005.mpo” of the image data for 3D display are taken to have been storedin the memory card. In such a case, in a case where the display time (Ct(3D, L)) has been stored in the header part of the image data of theimage file “001.mpo” and the image files “002.mpo” and “003.mpo” and thedisplay time (Ct (3D, L)) has not been stored in the header part of theimage data of the image file “004.mpo” and the image file “005.mpo”,then the CPU 80 detects the image file “001.mpo”, the image file“002.mpo”, and the image file “003.mpo”, and does not detect the imagefiles “004.mpo” and “005.mpo”.

Next, the CPU 80 reads out the editing history (Ce) and the display time(Ct (3D, L)) stored in the header parts of the image data of thedetected image files, and calculates the total time (Ca) for each unitof image data on the basis of the editing history (Ce) and the displaytime (Ct (3D, L)) (step S102).

For example, a value of 1.0 for the editing history (Ce) and 18 secondsfor the display time (Ct (3D, L)) are stored in the header part of theimage data of the image file “001.mpo”; a value of 1.0 for the editinghistory (Ce) and 10 seconds for the display time (Ct (3D, L)) are storedin the header part of the image data of the image file “002.mpo”; and avalue of 1.5 for the editing history (Ce) and 8 seconds for the displaytime (Ct (3D, L)) are stored in the header part of the image data of theimage file “003.mpo”.

In such a case, the total time (Ca) is calculated for the image data ofthe image file “001.mpo” such that 1.0×18 seconds=18 seconds. Similarly,for the image data of the image file “002.mpo”, the total time (Ca) iscalculated such that 1.0×10 seconds=10 seconds, and for the image dataof the image file “003.mpo”, the total time (Ca) is calculated such that1.5×8 seconds=12 seconds.

Next, the CPU 80 determines the prioritization of the image data inorder of magnitude of the calculated total time (Ca) (step S103). Forexample, the prioritization of the image data will be the image data ofthe image file “001.mpo”, the image data of the image file “003.mpo”,and the image data of the image file “002.mpo” in this order. Next, acommand from the CPU 80 causes the image data to be sequentially readout from the memory card inserted into the memory card slot 110 on thebasis of the prioritization, and the display control unit 100sequentially displays the images based on the read-out image data on theLCD panel 98 (step S104). The display images are switched over, forexample, at 10-second intervals, and the images are displayed in orderbeginning with the earliest number of prioritization.

According to the television 8 based on the fifth embodiment, it ispossible to determine the prioritization of the image data on the basisof the display time (Ct) of the image having been displayed on the owndevice. Also, in a case where the image based on the image data for 3Ddisplay has been displayed on the LCD panel 98, because the display time(Ct (3D, L)) is stored also in the header part of the image data for 2Ddisplay subordinate to the image data for 3D display, it is possible tostore the display time (Cx) unified in the header parts of mutuallyassociated image data.

The embodiments above describe the example of a case where the modesetting unit 86 is operated and the ranking mode is thereby set, but theranking mode may also be set in a case where new image data has beenreceived via the USB port or in a case where the memory card has beeninserted into the memory card slot 110.

The fourth embodiment describes the example of a case where the countingof the playback time (Cc) involves the addition of the most recentlycounted playback time (Cc), but the playback time (Cc) having alreadybeen stored may also be written over with the most recently countedplayback time (Cc). The average value of the playback time (Cc) havingalready been stored and the most recently counted playback time (Cc) mayalso be stored. In a case where, for example, the playback time (Cc)having already been stored is 8 seconds and the most recently countedplayback time

(Cc) is 10 seconds, then 9 seconds, which is the average value, may alsobe stored.

Also, the fifth embodiment describes a case where the same display timeis stored also in the header part of the subordinate image data for 2Ddisplay in a case where the image based on the image data for 3D displayhas been displayed on the LCD panel 98, but different display times mayalso be stored. For example, in a case where the image based on theimage data for 3D display has been 3D-displayed for 18 seconds, then 9seconds, which is 0.5 times the value thereof, may be stored as thedisplay time (Ct (3D, L)) in the header part of the subordinate imagedata for 2D display. Also, in a case where the display time (Ct (3D, L))of the image based on the image data for 3D display and the display time(Ct (2D, L)) of the image based on the subordinate image data for 2Ddisplay are different, then it is also possible for only the displaytime (Ct (3D, L)) of the image data for 3D display to be stored in theheader parts of both sets of image data. In a case where, for example,the image based on the image data for 3D display has been displayed for5 seconds and the image based on the subordinate image data for 2Ddisplay has been displayed for 15 seconds, then 5 seconds may be storedas the display time (Ct (3D, L)) in the header parts of both sets ofimage data. Also, in a case where the image based on the image data for3D display and the image based on the subordinate image data for 2Ddisplay have each been displayed on the LCD panel of the television for2D display, then it is possible to store only the display time of theimage data for 2D display in the header part of either image data.

The embodiments above describe the example of a case where the all theimages based on the image data for which the total time (Ca) has beencalculated in the ranking mode are displayed, but it is also possible todisplay only images based on specific image data. For example, it ispossible to display, in order of magnitude of the total time (Ca), onlythe images based on image data captured on January 1st from among allthe image data for which the total time (Ca) has been calculated. Also,the total time (Ca) may also be calculated for each shooting date, andthe images based on the image data having a first-place ranking in eachof the shooting dates may be displayed as slides. Also, the total time(Ca) may be calculated for each specific time (for example, a week or amonth) and the images based on the image data having a first-placeranking in each of the specific times may be displayed as slides. Theimages based on the image data having a top-3 ranking on each of theshooting dates may also be displayed as slides.

Also, in the fourth embodiment, the values of the predeterminedcoefficients may be allowed to be changed. For example, a printing unitthat prints an image based on image data may be provided to thetelevision 8, and in a case where an image has been printed three ormore times by the printing unit, the value of the predeterminedcoefficient may be doubled when the total time (Ca) is calculated.

In the embodiments above, a reference value may be provided for thetotal time (Ca), where the image data for which the total time (Ca) isless than the reference value is not given a determined prioritizationand is excluded from being subject to being displayed. Image data wherethe total time (Ca) is less than the reference value may also be deletedfrom the memory card.

In the embodiments above, in the case where the image has been edited,the editing history (Ce) is stored in the header part of the image data,but the state of the image at the time of editing may also be stored.For example, in a case where the face of a person image has beendisplayed with zoom in the image display mode, then the CPU storesinformation relating to the zoomed region in the header part of theimage data. In a case where the image is displayed in the ranking mode,the CPU may display the face of the person image on the basis of theinformation relating to the zoomed region.

In the embodiments above, a higher prioritization may be given to animage that has been deliberately viewed by the operator. For example, ina case where the total time (Ca) of an image having been selected usinga CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) is calculated, a value where thetotal value calculated in the prioritization determination processing isfurther multiplied by a coefficient Ccec may also be stored as the totaltime (Ca).

The fifth embodiment describes the example of a case where the headerpart of the image data is written over with the most recently counteddisplay time (Cx), but, similarly with respect to the example describedusing the fourth embodiment, the most recently counted display time (Cx)may also be added to the display time (Cx) having already been stored inthe header part of the image data.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the editing history (Ce) and thedisplay time (Cx) are stored in the header part of the image data as taginformation, but, similarly with respect to the first embodiment throughthird embodiment, for example, the editing history (Ce) and the displaytime (Cx) may be stored in a sixth file illustrated in FIG. 22 tocalculate the total time (Ca).

The fourth and fifth embodiments describe the example of a case wherethe prioritization determination processing is performed in thetelevision 8, but, instead of the television 8, the prioritizationdetermination processing may also be performed in a personal computer, amobile telephone, or another display device. In such a case, the CPU mayuse, in the prioritization determination processing, the display time(Cpc) when the image has been displayed on the display unit of thepersonal computer (see FIG. 15) or the display time (Cm) when the imagehas been displayed on the display unit of the mobile telephone (see FIG.15).

The fourth and fifth embodiments describe the example of a case wherethe images based on the image data are displayed on a display unit, butimages may also be displayed on the basis of the thumbnail image data.

In the fourth embodiment, similarly with respect to the firstembodiment, the digital camera 4 may also be where the images areprojected using the projection unit 34, the projection time (Cp) iscounted, and the stored projection time (Cp) is stored in the headerpart of the image data.

In the fourth embodiment, the digital camera 4 and the television 8 maybe interchanged, and the digital camera 4 may be where theprioritization is determined.

In the fourth embodiment, communication between the digital camera 4 andthe television 8 is performed via the USB cable 7, but data may also beacquired directly from the memory cards by the insertion and removal ofthe memory cards into/from the memory card slots 32 and 110. Moreover,wireless USB communication may be used, or another communicating meansother than USE communication may be used. Such means make it possible totransmit and receive image data and the like between the digital camera4 and the television 8.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

2 . . . image display system; 4 . . . digital camera; 6 . . . digitalphoto frame; 7 . . . USB cable; 50 . . . CPU; 52 . . . power sourceswitch; 54 . . . operation key; 56 mode setting unit; 58 . . . datatransfer button; 60 . . . USB port; 64 . . . LCD display unit; 66 . . .display control unit; 68 . . . memory unit; 70 . . . memory card slot;72 . . . time measurement unit; 74 . . . data memory unit

1. An image control device, comprising: an acquisition unit thatacquires, from an external machine, image data as well as time data whenan image based on the image data has been displayed on the externalmachine; a data memory unit that stores, for each unit of the imagedata, the image data and the time data acquired in the acquisition unit;and a prioritization determination unit that determines, on the basis ofthe time data, a prioritization of the image data stored in the datamemory unit.
 2. The image control device according to claim 1,comprising: an image display unit that displays the image based on theimage data; and a display control unit that controls the image displayunit to display the image based on the image data on the basis of theprioritization determined by the prioritization determination unit. 3.The image control device according to claim 2, further comprising: adisplay time measurement unit that measures a display time when theimage based on the image data stored in the data memory unit has beendisplayed on the image display unit; and a time memory control unit thatcauses, for each unit of the image data, display time data relating tothe display time to be stored, wherein the prioritization determinationunit determines the prioritization of the image data on the basis of thetime data and the display time data.
 4. The image control deviceaccording to claim 2, further comprising: a display time measurementunit that measures a display time when the image based on the image datastored in the data memory unit has been displayed on the image displayunit; and a time memory control unit that causes, for each unit of theimage data, display time data relating to the display time to be stored,wherein the prioritization determination unit determines theprioritization of the image data on the basis of the display time datainstead of the time data.
 5. The image control device according to claim3, comprising: a time memory unit that stores the display time data,wherein the time memory control unit causes the display time data to bestored in the time memory unit.
 6. The image control device according toclaim 3, wherein the time memory control unit causes the display timedata to be stored as tag information of the image data.
 7. The imagecontrol device according to claim 3, wherein the time memory controlunit causes information relating to types of a device which hasdisplayed the image based on the image data to be stored in associationwith the display time data.
 8. The image control device according toclaim 3, wherein the time memory control unit causes informationindicative that the image based on the image data has been 2D-displayedor information indicative that the image based on the image data hasbeen 3D-displayed to be stored in association with the display timedata.
 9. The image control device according to claim 3, wherein the timememory control unit causes information relating to a display size of theimage displayed on the basis of the image data to be stored inassociation with the display time data.
 10. The image control deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the display time of a case where the imagebased on the image data has been 2D-displayed and the display time of acase where the image based on the image data has been 3D-displayed areinterdependent.
 11. The image control device according to claim 3,wherein the time data and the display time data are data relating to atime greater than a predetermined time which is pre-set.
 12. The imagecontrol device according to claim 3, wherein the prioritizationdetermination unit determines the prioritization of the image data onthe basis of the time data and the display time data, each of which hasbeen assigned a weighting.